Scala: Nil vs List()

Question

In Scala, is there any difference at all between `Nil` and `List()`? If not, which one is more idiomatic Scala style? Both for creating new empty lists and pattern matching on empty lists.

Accepted Answer

```
scala> println (Nil == List())
true

scala> println (Nil eq List())
true

scala> println (Nil equals List())
true

scala> System.identityHashCode(Nil)
374527572

scala> System.identityHashCode(List())
374527572
```

Nil is more idiomatic and can be preferred in most cases. Questions?

Scala: Nil vs List()

Solution

Problem